It’s been called so many things over the years. The most innovative symphony ever written, the most important, the world’s most widely recognized piece or quite simply, the best musical work ever. Whatever it is for you, it’s a rousing end to the year and an underlying message of joy and optimism that will serve us all well in 2017.
It’s tough to choose a version, so many good ones out there, but I’ve gone for Muti and the CSO in 2014. But what you do get today isn’t the greatest hits snippets or a cut straight to the big choral finish, you get the whole thing because to truly appreciate #9 you need the full experience.
Youtube here. Magical.